Dr. Michael Laurs and the rest of the personnel at the Honolulu Laboratory of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), study high seas, open-ocean, and tropical island fisheries resources. Located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, the Honolulu Laboratory’s operations support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) mission to build sustainable fisheries and recover protected species. The laboratory works to ensure the conservation and viability of fishery stocks, manages for economic growth, and promotes healthy commercial and recreational fishing opportunities. In addition, the laboratory is responsible for research in support of the recovery of endangered species including the Hawaiian monk seal and Pacific sea turtle.

The Honolulu Laboratory’s geographic area of responsibility is bounded by the entire Hawaiian Archipelago to the north, American Samoa and U.S. possessions in the south, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in the west, and is the largest of all U.S. fisheries laboratories. This huge area, which covers over 1.7 million square nautical miles, is the largest area of responsibility of all U.S. fisheries laboratories. This area alone, is responsible for an almost 0.5 billion dollar annual commercial fish industry that is hauled into it’s three U.S. ports.

Right now, the laboratory’s reports indicate that fish stocks in Hawaii and the northern Pacific are healthy. But, the over-fishing that occurred in the northern Atlantic ocean caused the U.S. and other northern Pacific nations to band together in an effort to protect the future of commercial fishing in “international” waters. To this end, a multi-national program has been created to do necessary research of species of fish that are highly migratory and cross various international boundaries. The countries of Japan, Korea, China, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Canada, and Mexico have joined the U.S. in support of the eventual management of fish stocks that are extremely important to each of their economies. Dr. Laurs reports that the Honolulu Laboratory is leading the international research of swordfish stocks. Japan will study the migration of Big Eye and Blue Fin varieties of tuna. Both studies are extremely difficult because of the wide range these fish travel in their migrations.

While discussing the importance of his laboratory’s pro-active efforts in research, I could tell that Dr. Laurs truly enjoys his work. “I have one of the best jobs there is. It offers varied challenges and opportunities, and numerous occasions to interact with a diverse array of interesting and dedicated marine scientists, and administrators.” What a great job – doing work of global importance and he gets to live in Paradise!